With Means To Pull Lead-end Patents (Class 226/92)
  • Patent number: 6513428
    Abstract: A device and a method for attaching a printing web to a webbing sail include two thin, flexible sheets to be sandwiched about the printing web. Each of the sheets is at least partly attached to a trailing edge of the webbing sail. Protrusions are disposed obliquely on the sheets for gripping the printing web. A device and a method for webbing-up a printing machine are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Jatinder Singh Sappal, Mark Anthony Wingate, Matthew Jon Wingate
  • Patent number: 6510790
    Abstract: A material web to be printed is drawn into a rotary printing press by securing a reinforcement element to a leading end of the material web. The reinforcement element can be enwrapped in the material web or held to the web by suitable catches. An openable and closable loop is formed in the reinforcement element and is used to connect the element to the web draw-in device of the printing press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Rainer Brückl, Erwin Paul Josef Lehrieder
  • Patent number: 6499684
    Abstract: A leader pin assembly for attachment to tape as a generic and space-efficient interface between tape and equipment which manipulates the tape, and a method for making the same. The leader pin assembly preferably includes a leader pin, an elastomer element, and a clip. The leader pin is barbell-shaped, having enlarged ends and at least one pair of flanges each spaced a distance from a respective enlarged end to define a pair of recesses and a center section of the leader pin. The center section of the leader pin is sized to permit tape to be wound around the center section, with the elastomer element surrounding the tape and with the clip snugly surrounding the elastomer element to keep the tape securely in place around the center section of the leader pin. The end surfaces of the leader pin may have an outward curve to ensure smooth movement across equipment surfaces during leader pin assembly manipulation. Also the edges of the leader pin may be radiused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignees: Seagate Technology, Inc., Hewlett-Packard Company, International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Eaton, Thomas R. Albrecht, Robert R. Heinze, John A. Hamming, Jeffrey S. McAllister, Thomas W. von Alten, Carl R. Hoerger, Geoffrey W. Mansbridge
  • Publication number: 20020179670
    Abstract: A tape loading apparatus comprises a base, a roller post about which a tape is wrapped for tape loading, and a carrying member for carrying the roller post. The roller post includes a rotation shaft and a roller rotating about the rotation shaft, and a shaft engagement member is provided on the base for holding the roller post at a predetermined position, the shaft engagement member directly contacting and pressing one or both ends of the rotation shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Saito, Akio Konishi, Koichiro Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 6482293
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method in tail threading, in which a lead-in strip, tail (T) separated from the edge of a paper web is guided between two elongated mobile means in a paper web conveying machine and transferred forward between these two means along a given portion in the machine direction of the machine. The mobile means are belts (1, 2) between which the tail is transported. The neutral axes (N) of the belts (1, 2) are substantially on the same level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Vesa Ahvenniemi
  • Patent number: 6477949
    Abstract: A device for infeeding a material web along an infeed path into a rotary printing machine includes drive stations arranged along the infeed path, and an infeed element partially enclosed by a guide formed with a lateral opening at which a material web is fastenable on an extension piece. The infeed device further includes a profiling provided on the infeed element for stiffening the infeed element in an advancement direction along the infeed path. A rotary printing press is provided with the infeed device; and a newspaper rotary printing press is similarly provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Jaques Metrope
  • Patent number: 6453704
    Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and automatically moving a moving strand of fibers from a starting position to any one of a plurality of predetermined positions in a multi-grooved separator roll is disclosed. This apparatus is particularly in processes of making continuous fiber products from molten material and replaces a manual operation that presented safety problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Johns Manville International, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell D. Arterburn, Larry Edward Howard, John J. Dembowski, Randall Clark Bascom
  • Patent number: 6443061
    Abstract: A disklike rotary switch is installed at a junction of four web-threading guideways in a rotary printing press, for use in switching a web, being threaded through the press preparatory to printing, from one to another of the guideways. The web-threading guideways are of radial arrangement, constantly spaced 45 degrees from one another, about the axis of rotation of the switch. The switch has defined therein two orthogonally intersecting, rectilinear switching guideways, each for intercommunicating one pair of web-threading guideways opposed to each other across the switch, and two arcuate switching guideways each for intercommunicating two of the web-threading guideways that are adjacent each other circumferentially of the switch. A single fluid-actuated cylinder is used for driving the switch between two preassigned angular positions. A tandem connection of two such cylinders is used in an alternative embodiment for driving the switch between three positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho
    Inventor: Kunio Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6425513
    Abstract: An apparatus transfers a threading strip and/or a material web can from a pick-up area into a transfer area along a web travel path for production and/or processing/of the strip and/or web. The device includes a carrier for moving the strip and/or web along the web travel path through the machine at a carrier speed. The device also includes at least one pick-up unit for transferring the strip and/or web from the pick-up area to the transfer area at relocation speed that is lower than the carrier speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Zygmunt Madrzak, Rüdiger Kurtz, Oswald Satzger, Wolf Gunter Stotz, Thomas Hermsen, Georg Kugler, Werner Goebel, Karlheinz Straub, Patric Romes
  • Patent number: 6402889
    Abstract: A web guidance device for a calender and a method of threading a web through a calender. The web guidance device is for a roll stack having several rolls which form a plurality of nips, and includes a movable web guidance device which is fixable in at least one insertion position and arranged on at least one side of the roll stack, wherein the web guidance device guides a beginning of the web through the roll stack. The method is for threading a material web through a calender which has a roll stack having at least a first nip and a second nip, and includes feeding a web beginning through a first nip from one side of the roll stack, engaging the web beginning on the other side of the roll stack with a web guidance device, and guiding the web beginning to a second nip with the web guidance device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Gwosdz-Kaupmann, Thomas Hermsen, Reinhard Wenzel, Franz Kayser
  • Patent number: 6398094
    Abstract: A snake apparatus for threading a web through a printing press includes a body portion and a ridge integrally formed on a surface of the body portion. The ridge is configured to engage and guide the snake along a track through the printing press. Intermittent gaps are located in the ridge to allow the snake to flex. The snake is attached to an end of a web roll, and inserted into the track to guide the web through the press in the path desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: The Washington Post
    Inventor: John Jay Alexander
  • Patent number: 6358366
    Abstract: A system and method effectively threading the moist tail of a web through a pulp dryer. A tail threading belt in a closed loop passes the tail of the web through the dryer, and the most tail of the web is transferred from a support wire in the press section of a pulp machine to the tail threading belt. Transfer may be effected using a suction roll with a suction sector and a blower sector, or by using a suction chamber having a perforated escort belt which cooperates with it to engage the tail section on the wire and fully support it during transfer to the threading belt. The threading belt may be folded over to contain the tail web inside it while it passes through the dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Pertti Hongisto, Paavo Sairanen, Time Tammekas, Raimo Virta
  • Patent number: 6328195
    Abstract: A guide roller is driven in an intermittent manner. A driven draw-in mechanism is used to draw in a paper or other continuous web of material. The drive mechanism for the web guide roller is accelerated to a paper feed speed prior to the arrival of the start of the paper web at the guide rollers. A coupling is provided between the draw-in mechanism and the guide roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Horst Bernhard Michalik, Wolfgang Günter Ruckmann
  • Patent number: 6325266
    Abstract: An automatic paper-threading device for use in an angle bar section of a rotary press which includes a paper web supply unit, a press unit, an angle bar section, and a folding unit and which has a paper-threading path for paper web formed between the paper web supply unit and the folding unit. The angle bar section is disposed in the paper-threading path and includes a first bar and a second bar disposed in parallel and separated by an appropriate distance. The automatic paper-threading device includes a paper leader guide and a tensioner. The paper leader guide includes a drive unit for moving along the paper-threading path a paper leader affixed to a leading end portion of paper web. The tensioner is provided in the angle bar section and includes a paper guide which is disposed between the first bar and the second bar to extend the widthwise direction of the paper web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunio Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20010027632
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved package wrapping machine which produces a wrapped product having a good seal and a favorable appearance for packages of varying sizes and shapes. More particularly, these improvements are obtained by utilizing a novel film gripper having sections that are separately disengageable to release tension on lateral sections of the film web during the wrapping of smaller than average packages, thereby preventing unwanted stretching of the film so as to promote a good seal for the packaged goods and avoid the formation of unsightly film tails. Also in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a novel package pusher is utilized to convey the package to be wrapped from a package infeed location to a registration position on the package wrapping elevator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: Michael A. Whitby, Philip Anthony Ratermann
  • Patent number: 6270334
    Abstract: This device ensures insertion of a film into the entrance of a transverse drawing machine, leaving a longitudinal drawing machine. This device includes a fixed cylinder with an axis perpendicular to the travel axis of the film, located upstream of the entrance to the transverse drawing machine, whose lower generatrix is located in the film travel plane in the transverse drawing machine, a chest whose axis is perpendicular to the travel axis of the film, mounted on a movable support, so that it can be displaced between a retracted position and a position in which the chest is located between the fixed cylinder and the entrance to the transverse drawing machine, the upper surface of the chest then being disposed substantially in the plane in which the film travels in the transverse drawing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Darlet Marchante Technologies S.A.
    Inventor: Alain Cozian
  • Publication number: 20010008102
    Abstract: A device for infeeding a material web along an infeed path into a rotary printing machine includes drive stations arranged along the infeed path, and an infeed element partially enclosed by a guide formed with a lateral opening at which a material web is fastenable on an extension piece. The infeed device further includes a profiling provided on the infeed element for stiffening the infeed element in an advancement direction along the infeed path. A rotary printing press is provided with the infeed device; and a newspaper rotary printing press is similarly provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventor: Jaques Metrope
  • Patent number: 6241138
    Abstract: A paper web threading apparatus is provided for a papermaking machine. The threading apparatus includes a transfer sheave assembly mounted on an end of a middle rotating drum disposed between an upstream drum and a downstream drum. The transfer sheave assembly includes a first sheave that is fixed to the middle drum and rotates with the middle drum and a second sheave that rotates freely and independently of the middle drum. An upstream pair of endless ropes is provided that wrap partially around the sheave of the upstream drum before wrapping partially around one of the sheaves of the transfer sheave assembly. A pair of downstream endless ropes is also provided that wrap partially around the other of the sheaves of the transfer sheave assembly as well as the sheave mounted to the downstream drum. The upstream ropes maintain an adjacent position with respect to each other until they depart from the transfer sheave assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventors: Bruce G. Garrigan, Patrick J. Theut, Michael C. Wozniak
  • Patent number: 6223962
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for attaching a web of material for translation through a rotary printing press system, include a triangle having a side with a given length and a bottom to be attached to the web. A guiding device is attached to the side of the triangle along substantially all of the given length, for guiding the triangle and the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Robert Michael Pimpis
  • Patent number: 6193845
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a paper-making machine utilizing rotating cylinders, especially dryer cylinders, with a drying felt intertwined about the dryer cylinders to compress the wet paper against the dryer cylinders as the wet paper travels therealong. A threading doctor assembly with a blowpipe air nozzle blowing system is associated with each dryer cylinder. When air is flowing into the blowpipe blowing system, the leading tail of the wet paper is directed from the preceding dryer cylinder to the next. A proximity sensor associated with each threading doctor assembly is in communication with a controller and is positioned to determine if the wet paper is within a detection area. Air valves or solenoids coupled between an air supply system and the blowpipes are also coupled to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Paper Technology North America Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin X. Graf, William B. Ricker
  • Patent number: 6105496
    Abstract: The invention provides an aid for threading a printing-material web or part printing-material webs which are produced from the printing-material web by a longitudinal cutting device. The aid enables threading by a threading apparatus even in the region of offset bars. For this purpose, guide bars are introduced into the web course during the threading operation. The printing-material web is threaded through the offset bars but wraps around these guide bars instead of the offset bars. The guide bars are then either withdrawn from or pivoted out of the web course so that the printing-material web can be pulled taut on the guide bars. Likewise, it is also possible for offset bars mounted on one side to undertake the function of the guide bars during the insertion operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Robert Mayr
  • Patent number: 6092762
    Abstract: A leader pin assembly for connecting tape to tape drive equipment, such as those used in magnetic tape storage systems, is disclosed. The leader pin assembly includes a leader pin and a flexible element covering at least a part of the leader pin. A clip secures the flexible element to the leader pin, the clip being adapted and constructed to be crimped in securing relation over the flexible element. The tape can be secured between the leader pin and the flexible element. The clip can be fabricated from a flexible metal such as stainless steel, specifically #300 stainless steel. The clip can be provided with an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the flexible element. The clip can be provided as a generally annular cylindrical member having a longitudinal opening, with a pair of beveled, substantially parallel edges forming the longitudinal opening. The flexible element and the clip can form an integral one-piece unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Robert C. Aaron
  • Patent number: 6086271
    Abstract: Photographic material grasping and dragging device for photographic material developing machine, in particular of photographic paper, shaped as a fork provided with a first and a second portion (26, 27) respectively for the photographic material winding and for the hooking and unhooking with respect to the guide band (leader) of the machine. Device which comprises clamping means (grasping jaws 32) co-operating with the guide band (28) and sprung articulated means (31) adapted to drive the clamping means (32) from a first to a second operative position, in which they are respectively disengaged and engaged with respect to the guide band (28), and vice versa. Device which assures always a feed of photographic material at any operative condition and mechanical stress exerted by such material on the device referred to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Ernesto DeBernardi
  • Patent number: 6038973
    Abstract: A web threading device for rotary printing presses, having a flexible, endless threading element for threading a web of material along a web path through components of a rotary printing press, includes a transporter assigned to the threading element, the transporter passing by the components of the rotary printing press, the threading element being actuatable for taking up a leading end of the material web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Jean Claude Marmin
  • Patent number: 6003802
    Abstract: A leader pin assembly for attachment to tape as a generic and space-efficient interface between tape and equipment which manipulates the tape, and a method for making the same. The leader pin assembly preferably includes a leader pin, an elastomer element, and a clip. The leader pin is barbell-shaped, having enlarged ends and at least one pair of flanges each spaced a distance from a respective enlarged end to define a pair of recesses and a center section of the leader pin. The center section of the leader pin is sized to permit tape to be wound around the center section, with the elastomer element surrounding the tape and with the clip snugly surrounding the elastomer element to keep the tape securely in place around the center section of the leader pin. The end surfaces of the leader pin may have an outward curve to ensure smooth movement across equipment surfaces during leader pin assembly manipulation. Also the edges of the leader pin may be radiused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignees: Seagate Technology, Inc., Hewlett-Packard Company, International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Eaton, Thomas R. Albrecht, Robert R. Heinze, John A. Hamming, Jeffrey S. McAllister, Thomas W. von Alten, Carl R. Hoerger, Geoffrey W. Mansbridge
  • Patent number: 5996873
    Abstract: A device for threading a web through a printing press has a track and a snake riding externally on the track. The snake includes a plurality of segments which interconnect using holes and bosses. The track may comprise a plurality of curved and straight section to permit the snake to access various parts of the printing press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Robert Michael Pimpis
  • Patent number: 5967036
    Abstract: A web infeed device for rotary printing presses, including a flexible, finite infeed element having a length greater than a spacing between adjacent drive elements for the infeed element includes a guide wherein the flexible infeed element is received, a plurality of rotationally symmetrical bodies inserted into the flexible infeed element for guiding the flexible infeed element and for reducing friction thereof within the guide, the flexible infeed element having a coating for reducing friction with the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Jean Claude Marmin, Franck Adamik
  • Patent number: 5947361
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and for conveying fabrics, individual articles and other material, in particular for feeding web-shaped material into a machine which processes it, for example a paper web into a printing machine, with at least one conveyor element formed for engagement with the material, a guide rail, in and/or along which the conveyor element(s) can move, and a drive device comprising the conveyor element in order to convey the material into and/or through the machine via the conveyor element, wherein the drive device is formed by an electric linear motor whose secondary part or rotor device comprises and/or bears the conveyor element(s) and whose primary part or stator device is mounted in a stationary manner on the guide rail, and the guide rail is formed from a non-magnetic and non-conducting or electrically insulating material, preferably a plastics material, and comprises therein one or more electrical conductor strands to which the stator device is coupled and/or connected so as to be ene
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: EMO Elektromotorenwerk Kamenz GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Berger, Waldemar Strohmer, Detlef Nimz, Peter Kreisfeld
  • Patent number: 5935289
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of using the apparatus to automate a labor intensive portion of the process of making continuous fiber products, like chopped glass fiber. In this process many fiberizers are used, each fiberizer forming as many as several thousand fibers. Fibers break frequently requiring the fiberizers to be restarted and this has always been a labor intensive part of the process. Apparatus for getting the fiberizers ready to restart quickly and for forming a fiber strand, apparatus for gripping the strand, breaking it and transporting it to strand pulling and processing equipment and apparatus for moving a newly started strand into a desired position on an optional strand separating and guiding means, and methods of using the apparatus are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Johns Manville International, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell D. Arterburn, Larry Edward Howard
  • Patent number: 5921453
    Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus is provided for use in a web threading apparatus of a rotary press for threading a web along a web threading path by drawing a leading end of the web using a web threading member movably provided on an outside portion of the web threading path and along the web threading path. The paper feeding apparatus includes a pair of an upstream roller and a downstream roller extending substantially parallel to a width direction of the web in the web threading path, and a driving mechanism for driving the upstream and downstream rollers in a feeding direction of the web and for ensuring that a peripheral speed of the downstream roller is at least equal to a moving speed of the web threading member. The upstream and downstream rollers are offset on an upstream side and a downstream side in a direction of the web threading path so that the web is not nipped by both the upstream roller and the downstream roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho
    Inventor: Kunio Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5887215
    Abstract: Described herein is a clip arrangement for use in processing apparatus which have at least one continuous leader belt running therethrough for driving photographic material to be processed through the apparatus, the clip arrangement connecting the material to the leader belt. The clip arrangement comprises an adhesive element which secures the material to the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Anthony Earle, Leslie Wells, Mark McLennan
  • Patent number: 5881964
    Abstract: A splicing tape supply device is composed of a main body for supplying splicing tape to a splicing drum and a moving mechanism for moving the main body. The main body is provided with a reel on which the splicing tape is wound, and the splicing tape is unwound from the reel and supplied to the splicing drum via a peel plate. The moving mechanism consists of a pair of rails and screw feeding equipment. An angle of inclination .theta..degree. of the rails is equal to an angle of inclination of a cutting line between two web ends, and the rails are inclined in the same direction of the cutting line. When the main body is moved along the rails, the splicing tape is supplied to the splicing drum at the angle of .theta..degree.. Thereby, the web ends, which are cut at a predetermined angle of inclination, can be satisfactorily spliced together with the splicing tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Fujikura, Minoru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5842664
    Abstract: A method and device for threading a paper web or an equivalent web-like material in a winding device, in particular in a slitter-winder, in which the paper web or the equivalent web-like material is wound from a web reel or equivalent onto another roll. A threading wedge is formed into the paper web or equivalent web-like material and passed through the winding device. Substantially at the same time as the web reel is unwound, a threading wedge narrower than the width of the web is separated from the web by a wedge-making device/devices and the web is passed by threading devices through the winding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth .ANG.kerlund
  • Patent number: 5823936
    Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine and method employing a loading assembly that eliminates the need to manually thread sheet-like stock material through a forming assembly of the machine during a loading operation. The loading assembly and associated method are characterized by cooperating feed members that are located adjacent an upstream or inlet end of a converging chute. Upon actuation of an accessible operator member, the feed members are selectively engaged to push stock material through the chute and out the exit end of the chute for engagement by a feeding/connecting assembly which is at least energized during such selective engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Ranpak Corp.
    Inventor: Richard O. Ratzel
  • Patent number: 5816465
    Abstract: A branching apparatus is provided in a paper-web threading apparatus of a rotary press in which, in order to thread a paper web into a threading path of the rotary press, threading guides are disposed at side portions of the threading path to extend therealong, thereby forming a threading-member traveling path through which a threading member can travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunio Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5809892
    Abstract: A threading device for a machine for processing web-shaped material, having a guide rail extending at least sectionwise through the machine, includes a pulling device movable along the guide rail for pulling a web behind it, and an electric linear drive for activating the pulling device; and a method of threading the web through the processing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Michael Kruger, Hans Joorg Laubscher
  • Patent number: 5775563
    Abstract: A leader transport apparatus in a automatic film processing apparatus includes a fixed base having transporting rollers, a movable base having transporting rollers and a driving unit for driving the transporting rollers. The fixed base and the movable base are so disposed that the transporting rollers of the fixed base can each confront the transporting rollers of the movable base, and the driving unit is adapted to drive the transporting rollers of at least one of the fixed base and the movable base so that a leader and an undeveloped film can be transported with sandwiched between the transporting rollers of the fixed base and the transporting rollers of the movable base, the movable base being supported at one end thereof by a hinge so that it can be opened and closed arbitrarily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Kojima
  • Patent number: 5709330
    Abstract: Apparatus for cutting and moving a leading end of a web, including a frame (70, 186); a crank (188) mounted for rotation on the frame; an upper platen (210); a pair of linear guides (212) for the upper platen; a first crank arm (196) connected between the upper platen and the crank; a lower platen; second and third crank arms (218, 220) connected between the lower platen and the crank; an upper die shoe (262) mounted to the upper platen; a lower die shoe (260) mounted to the lower platen; a pair of linear guides (264) between the die shoes; a slide (96) mounted on the frame; a shuttle arm (98) mounted on the slide for movement between the die shoes; an actuator arm (114) pivotably connected to the shuttle arm; a vacuum head (88) pivotably mounted to the shuttle arm; a cam follower (144, 146) connected to pivot the vacuum head; a cam (148, 158) pivotably mounted to the frame for engaging the cam follower; a link (258) rigidly connected to the cam; a fourth crank arm (252) pivotably connected between the link a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joseph Albert Watkins, Thomas Allen Sisson
  • Patent number: 5702043
    Abstract: An auxiliary transport device for transporting a chain part of a web conveying mechanism, which mechanism guides the start of a web of material through a processing device, comprises a transport device, having a length of at least the transit path of the web of material, for engaging and moving the chain part of the web conveying mechanism, as well as a drive device arranged outside the device for moving the transport device and guide, which are arranged along the transit path of the web of material, for guiding the transport device and the chain part through the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Stork Contiweb B.V.
    Inventors: Gerardus M. C. J. Logtens, Franciscus G. M. Scheepens
  • Patent number: 5685502
    Abstract: Filmstrip receiving apparatus for receiving an elongated filmstrip, comprising:a) a housing defining a stationary exit chamber to receive the filmstrip therein, the housing having: two opposed side walls spaced apart to accommodate the width of the filmstrip; a transverse wall extending between the side walls from an upper front end of the chamber to a lower rear end of the chamber; and an upper opening and a rear opening;b) a deflector mounted to reciprocate between forward and backward positions within the upper opening to define between said deflector and a front end of the upper opening, a filmstrip passage of variable length through which a filmstrip can lengthwise pass downwardly into the exit chamber.A scanner apparatus for scanning image frames of a filmstrip advanced into a scanning station is also provided. Such a scanner has a scanner in the scanning station to scan the image frames of the filmstrip and derive image data related to the scanned image frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert S. Jones, Douglas Joseph Pfaff
  • Patent number: 5601685
    Abstract: A laminating apparatus is disclosed which has a loading slot for facilitating the loading of a web through a nip located between a supply and takeup spindle. An inboard support carries the inboard end of the supply and takeup spindles and the laminating rolls, and a spaced outboard support carries the other end of the laminating rolls. The outboard support is formed with a supply aperture aligned with the supply spindle, a takeup aperture aligned with the takeup spindle, and an interconnected threading slot corresponding to the path of the laminating web through the laminating nip between the supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Morse, Keith D. Joncas, Kenneth A. McAuley
  • Patent number: 5586831
    Abstract: Two plate-like members are connected to each other by a connector for subsequent simultaneous feed thereof to, for example, a press. The connector includes a main body having two rectangular grooves, which have respective upper and lower walls and are open on opposite sides of the main body for receiving ends of the two respective plate-like members. A plurality of vertically movable pressure members and a plurality of locking screws are mounted on the main body to retain the ends of the two plate-like members within associated rectangular grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignees: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd., Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Tsubota, Takeshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5581908
    Abstract: Arrangements are described which allow a printing stock web to be reliably drawn through a drier. A draw-in member which grasps the tip of a printing stock web has a power transmission, e.g. a roller chain, which runs in a guide. Plates or blowing boxes which are movable vertically to the draw-in plane of the printing stock web and form closures in the guide by lateral projections of their side walls are provided to prevent dirt from penetrating into this guide. Rollers or cylinders are provided for additional correction of a lateral displacement of the printing stock web while the web is drawn in by the draw-in member. A friction-locking engagement, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Klaus Theilacker
  • Patent number: 5557484
    Abstract: Data storage elements that present uniform external dimensions but contain media of varying types and characteristics provide variable data storage and/or recording characteristics. To differentiate between the various media that can be housed within the common form factor, each data storage element is equipped with a leader block having a leader block slot uniquely dimensioned to correspond to the media contained within the data storage element. The leader block slot can be engaged by a mounting pin section on any of a plurality of mounting pins in a media drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. Leonhardt, Charles A. Milligan
  • Patent number: 5544422
    Abstract: Drying section. A drying section of a papermaking machine, is comprised of several drying groups, wherein the last drying cylinder of one drying group is arranged a short distance from the first drying cylinder of the following drying group and wherein the paper web extends directly from the last drying cylinder to the first drying cylinder, thereby permitting quick transfer of the paper web, between the drying groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Leitenberger
  • Patent number: 5400940
    Abstract: A paper web threading apparatus for a rotary printing press, which occupies a minimum space required for the installation thereof and which enables automatic threading of a paper web to be conducted smoothly without applying any ineffective tension to the paper web which can be guided along all relevant paper web threading paths. The paper web threading apparatus includes a guide path provided along and laterally of the paper web threading path. A paper web guiding member includes a belt-shaped member having a guided end engaging portion adapted to engage with or secure the guided end of the paper web. A guiding member moving and driving device meshs with the paper we guiding member so as to move the latter along the guide path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho
    Inventors: Masayoshi Sato, Kunio Suzuki, Yukoh Tomita
  • Patent number: 5397044
    Abstract: A paper web threading apparatus for use in a paper web handling machine includes a paper web threading member movably disposed substantially along a paper web threading path; a driver for driving the paper web threading member; a first signal generator for outputting a signal in response to the movement of the paper web threading member; a processor for receiving the signal outputted by the first signal generator as an input thereof, processing the signal so as to obtain a processed value relating to the speed of movement of the paper web threading member, and comparing the processed value with a reference value preset in connection with the operating speed of the paper web handling machine when the paper web is threaded along its paper web threading path, and then outputting an adjusting signal depending on the result of comparison; and an adjusting device for receiving the adjusting signal outputted by the processor as an input thereof and adjusting the driver so as to vary the speed of movement of the pape
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho
    Inventor: Kunio Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5383591
    Abstract: An interface device (10) connects in a light tight manner a feeding device (11) with a receiving station (12) fitted with a feed opening (13) and a driving device (60) liable to move a web (153) inserted into the feed opening (13) with a given tension force. Provided are first means for connecting the interface device (10) to the feeding device (11) and a second means for connecting the interface device (10) to the receiving station (12). A driving roller (42) is provided for pulling the web (153) out of the feeding device (11) in order to form a loop (53) which controls a regulating system (56). Regulating system (56) controls the speed of the rotation of motor (41) connected to driving roller (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Daniel G. Thibert
  • Patent number: 5379932
    Abstract: A compact rope stretcher maintains the tension in an endless rope used for threading a web in a papermaking machine and includes an elongated H-beam having a flange engaged by guide wheels supporting a pair of separate carriages. The carriages support corresponding rope sheaves for free rotation, and a pair of fluid cylinders are mounted on opposite sides of the beam web and have piston rods connected directly to the corresponding carriages by laterally floating links. Proximity sensors are mounted on opposite end portions of the H-beam for indicating when the rope stretch is reaching a limit, and the beam supports a full length cover which encloses and protects the carriages and cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Wespatt, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Bracken
  • Patent number: 5377892
    Abstract: A compact rope stretcher maintains the tension in an endless rope used for threading a web in a papermaking machine and includes a beam having a flange forming a track which is engaged by guide wheels supporting a pair of separate carriages. The carriages support corresponding rope sheaves for free rotation, and a pair of fluid cylinders are mounted on the beam and enclose pistons connected by corresponding piston rods directly to the corresponding carriages. The beam may be mounted on the papermaking machine with its track-forming flange extending at an angle to the horizontal so that the respective piston rods extend upwardly and downwardly from the cylinders. Pressurized fluid is supplied to the upper end of the one cylinder having the downwardly extending piston rod, and the upper end of the other cylinder is vented to atmosphere. The lower ends of the two cylinders are interconnected by a fluid passage to form a closed circuit which is filled with hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Wespatt, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles D. Kimball